Comprehensive-hygiene toothbrush and tongue-cleaning apparatus

Abstract

An improved oral-hygiene apparatus, for example a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to resist rolling and angled to maintain the head off a surface when idle. In addition, the apparatus includes recessed tongue-cleaner on the head, opposite the bristles. The tongue-cleaner features a rounded tongue-curette scrape edge and smooth curette base. This design allows omni-directional travel and effectively scrapes and cleans the tongue and inner cheek. The present invention is economical to produce and does not increase the overall thickness of the instrument head.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 60 / 621,394 titled “Improved Toothbrush and Tongue Cleaner” filed on 22 Oct. 2004 and provisional patent application No. 60 / 679,513 titled “Comprehensive-Hygiene Toothbrush System” filed on 10 May 2005.BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for improved oral hygiene. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved design for a toothbrush and tongue cleaner apparatus. [0003] A recent poll taken in the United States ranked the toothbrush ahead of the automobile as an indispensable object necessary for daily living. This indispensable tool of civilized society has seen many improvements during its long life—from inauspicious incarceration of animal bones and hairs, to the modern electric, sonic-pulse toothbrush. [0004] In basic form, the modern, manual toothbrush has three basic parts—the head, which contains the bristles, the neck, and the handle. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and presents a novel and useful system and apparatus for improving oral hygiene. The compact head of the present invention significantly reduces the gag-reflex induced by wider designs in the prior art. In addition, the propensity for the build up of dangerous bacteria on the instrument head is greatly diminished due to the rounded corners of the curette base. Additionally, the overall design of the handle portion, head size, and balance of the instrument ensures that inadvertent contamination of the head from a surface is greatly reduced. Many other advantageous and improvements to the prior art are appreciated upon scrutiny of this disclosure including the many figures.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention adapts as a combined toothbrush and tongue cleaner. The bristle pattern enhances teeth cleaning and the efficient curette base is ideally suited for scraping the tongue and inside walls of the mouth. The handle portion is easy to hold, ergonomic, balanced and designed to self align both when being manipulated for cleaning the mouth and when placed on a counter-top.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the propensity for the build up of dangerous bacteria on the instrument head is greatly diminished due to the rounded corners of the curette base.

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